FRUITVALE STATION

The main problem with the film, "Fruitvale Station", is that it does not gift wrap the package for us.  We have grown accustom to films that do most of the work for us:

* we see the star's name and know he or she will survive
     and  be victorious 

* we know early on the hero will have one minor flaw, such 
    as smoking or a minor gambling habit

* we will imagine ourselves as being the hero by the 
        film's  end

"Fruitvale Station" does not follow that long established                      pattern of film making / storytelling. 

The central character in this real life drama is
Oscar Grant ( played by Michael B. Jordan).

 We know from the start that things won't work out well for  Oscar and we learn Oscar is flawed:  reckless, 

 underachieving and quick to anger.

 Yet, the young man  is good in many ways, loving, 
 caring and charming at times.

You have to come to this film prepared to let go of the melodramatic elements that allow you to see what is coming next in most films------ you must allow this story to
unfold before you in its own manner, even if it takes 

unpleasant turns.

 Join me in appreciating a film without a single vampire, zombie or machine making speeches and fighting 
another machine for world domination.

Director / writer Ryan Coogler does a great job, as winning awards at the Sundance Film Festival will attest.

Oscar award winner Octavia Spencer ( "The Help" ), is very convincing as the strong, but soft-hearted mother of the main character.

This film runs for 90 minutes and those minutes are not wasted on topics and sub-plots that are off the topic at hand; - 
a lesson many other movies should try to imitate.

Be prepared to leave the theater in a down state of mind - this is not that Hollywood formula film with the motto of 

                   "leave them laughing" - 
this film will leave you thinking and we are not normally required to do that very often.